STEVE BRUCE is monitoring Jordan Henderson for signs of burnout after admitting the youngster is overdue a rest.

However, the newly-capped England midfielder has become such a key figure in Sunderland’s excellent start to the season Bruce is reluctant to stand him down.

The 20-year-old has started all of Sunderland’s 15 games in all competitions this season, and the only league action he has missed was the final five minutes against Everton on Monday when he was replaced by Ahmed Elmohamady.

As long as the stats prove Henderson is on top of his game, Bruce will continue to play him.

He said: “Jordan has been outstanding for us ever since breaking into the side.

“He was worthy of his England call-up last week, with Fabio Capello rightly using a friendly as the perfect opportunity to have a look to the future.

“Not only has Jordan played an awful lot of games for us but there has been a lot of pressure on his young shoulders recently, especially with the international call-up and all the rest of the attention.

“You would have to say he is probably found the going a little tough over the last few weeks – he has had a lot on his plate and I am very conscious of that.

“In an ideal world, I might have looked to rest him for a game or two, it is often the fairest way with younger players and we have done that with the likes of Elmohamady.

“Jordan, though, has become such an important part to the side and offers so much energy to the team that it’s almost unfair to consider resting him.

“Every time the stats come back, he is almost always the top performer in terms of ground covered and his enthusiasm is second to none.

“However, we do have our eye on him and we will always look to do what is best for him.”

The only thing lacking in Henderson’s game – and that of his fellow midfielders this season – has been goals.

He scored twice in all competitions for Sunderland last season, but has yet to open his account this term.

Bruce added: “We need more goals from midfield – that is just a fact of football.

“It is so important if you can get goals from midfield, as well as your frontmen.

“Jordan and Lee Cattermole and Kieran Richardson have been tremendous for us in recent games.

“I thought Jordan and Lee were outstanding against Chelsea’s five-man midfield the other week.

“When you have players who can play that week against a team of that calibre, it is a joy as a manager to be able to call on them.”